Suva’s biggest challenge
The Suva Football Association officials are busy recruiting players from other districts during this Transfer Window.
Signed and cleared to join them are midfielder Anish Khem and striker Marlon Tahioa. Khem, a school teacher played for Rewa last season while Tahioa who is from the Solomon Islands appeared for Labasa.
A lot is expected from Khem who was recruited to strengthen the Suva midfield. Tahioa is expected to fill for the vacuum in their strike force after Sairusi Nalaubu joined Lautoka, last season.
Also, Suva officials are desperate to acquire the services of Lautoka duo midfielder Dave Radrigai and defender Malakai Rakula while Ba striker Samuela Drudru is on their radar as well. These players’ Transfer applications are now processed.
The latest update is that veteran Labasa captain Akuila Mateisuva has sealed the deal with Suva officials.
With Suva FA making all these moves, we wonder if they are considering to develop upcoming footballers in the Capital City.
Suva FA, in the past decades was renowned for producing their own star players since they had the country’s biggest club competition, which was fiercely contested and produced many star players.
Today, we sadly farewell one of them, the late George Koi.
The legendary Koi captained the national football team to beat Australia 1-0 in Suva in 1977.
Former Fiji Football Association general secretary Bobby Tikaram said, he first noticed Koi while he was playing for Flagstaff in the Suva FA club competition and then later for the Suva team.
Koi is one of the many Suva produced football stars. Others are John Grey, Mun Lal, Aca Ligairi, Victor Koya, George Samisoni, Tevita Nadumu, Akuila Ravono, Tony Kabakoro, Jone Ratu, Mark Robert, Aisea Mocelutu, Maritino Nemani, James Murti, Shalen Lal, Hirdesh Prasad, Mukesh Chand, Tevita Bukalidi, Pompey Ismail, Leone Rakoroi, George Zoing, Meli Debalevu and the list goes on.
With the recent signings, it will be interesting to note whether such move could benefit Suva FA in the long run.
If not, then maybe the current Suva FA executives should consider investing into their club competition where they could unearth the many talented footballers in the Capital City.
This should be a worthwhile exercise as they not only produce their own star players but give them (players) an opportunity to make use of their football talents and earn their living from it.
